Lt. Col. Dimka's Coup Speech of 1976

Buka Suka Dimka, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Nigerian army, masterminded the abortive military coup of February 13, 1976 against the government of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed. The general was ambushed and assassinated on his way to work. Lieutenant Colonel Dimka later fled to eastern Nigeria from the premises of Radio Nigeria (where he had made a broadcast) after the coup had been crush. He planned a second broadcast that he never gave (this is presented as well). He was eventually arrested in the company with a prostitute in Abakaliki (Ebonyi State). He was a lover of booze. Following a court martial, Lieutenant Colonel Dimka and several military officers and civilians were executed by firing squad. His speeches are presented below. 

                                                      *************************

Good morning fellow Nigerians,

This is Lt. Col. B. Dimka of the Nigerian Army calling.

Biafra Anthem

Biafra, though short-lived, had some paraphernalia of statehood. It had a currency, an anthem and a flag. Till date, the flag still continues to be flown by dyed-in-the-wool Biafra supporters. The anthem was called Land of the rising sun. The tune of Jean Sibelius "Finlandia" was adopted for the anthem. Enjoy the lyrics.

Land of the rising sun, we love and cherish,
Beloved homeland of our brave heroes;
We must defend our lives or we shall perish,
We shall protect our hearts from all our foes;
But if the price is death for all we hold dear,
Then let us die without a shred of fear.

The Finger Of God (Delta State)

Delta State is one of the Niger Delta states. It is a state renowned for its distinct pidgin English. Many of us know it as The Big Heart, but the Governor prefers The Finger of God. Enjoy!

Delta State (slogan: The Finger of God) is a state in Southern Nigeria, comprising mainly five major ethnic groups: Urhobo, Isoko, Anioma and Ukwani, Ijaw and Itsekiri. The Urhobos are believed to have been the earliest settlers of Delta State. It was created out of the then Bendel State on 27 August 1991 by the government of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. Asaba, located in the northern part, is the capital city of the state, with Warri (located at the southern end of the state) as its economic capital. Other major towns (apart from Asaba and Warri) are Agbor, Ughelli, Oleh, Ozoro, Oghara, Sapele, Koko, Burutu, Okpanam and Ogwashi-ukwu. Its food crops include rice, yam, cassava, fruits and vegetables, while its industrial crops include rubber, oil palm and palm kernel. Check here for a good map of the state.

Abacha's Coup Speech of November 1993

Reproduced below is the speech delivered by late General Sani Abacha, after booting Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of Interim Government (ING), out of office. Abacha was ‘Vice President, Defence Secretary and Senior Minister’ by virtue of Decree 61promulgated by the General Ibrahim Babangida. With all those positions, it was only a matter of time before Abacha struck. He didn’t have to wait long, as a court declared ING illegal.

                                                   ********************

                                                                                               

Fellow Nigerians,

Sequel to the resignation of the former Head of the Interim National Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Ernest Shonekan and my subsequent appointment as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief, I have had extensive consultations within the armed forces hierarchy and other well meaning Nigerians in a bid to find solutions to the various political, economic and social problems which have engulfed our beloved country, and which have made life most difficult to the ordinary citizen of this nation.

Chief Ernest Shonekan took over as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces at a most trying time in the history of the country.  Politically, economically, and socially, there were lots of uncertainties.  Things appeared bleak and the atmosphere was heavy with uncertainties.  However, driven by a belief in himself, his countrymen, and love for his country, he accepted to face the challenges of our time.  I will, therefore, like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to him for his selfless service to the nation.  He showed great courage at taking on the daunting task of heading the Interim National Government and even greater courage to know when to leave.